A #giveaway for a Strong Woman

I feel really inspired to give something away. It's been awhile, too long, since I've had a giveaway on here. 

The newish job I have is going to be supported. All my likes in the form below won't be for me. They will be for where I work, and for other women bloggers that have been by my side. 

I'm going to share something really personal, but you all know I'm an open book. I don't believe in hiding things that matter. Sharing is caring. Whatever I go though something, someone else is going through that same situation as well. 

Ever since October I haven't had that special time of the month. This week I went to get my blood drawn; to see what's up with me. I found out that I get to go through the change of life slightly early. Oh joy! The first thing I asked my doctor, "Is this why I get so dang emotional?" She said, "Yes!" 

I cry when I have things to do, but don't have all the instructions to do the things I'm supposed to do. Then I laugh because I'm crying. Then I cry because I'm laughing. 

I did this painting quite awhile ago...

My doctor said, "Your ovaries are tired". That bird in the piece above is absent. I feel this emptiness inside me.

I ran across this article that talks about The Change of Life. I feel emotional, and empty. I feel like I have no one to talk to. All I'm ever around is my boys, and husband. It is what it is. Women - we should open dialog about all the things we have to go through. 

I looked up if asthma is worse when a woman goes though menopause. Apparently it is. I have extra asthma + the worry of getting covid, which also effects the lungs. 

Really I should be happy. I no longer want children + I don't have a monthly visitor. I'm free! 

I popped open my FB, and two of my friends that are my age just had babies. Even if kids where possible, I wouldn't want them. BUT...there's no denying that they were such an important part of my life, for so long. Now they hide themselves in their rooms, and barely say, "Boo!"

We've all been going through a tough time! I want to make some woman's day! 

I bought this fun bag, that I really always intended on giving away, but never did:

Inside I'm going to stuff it with random things. Like your favorite candy...

Mine is Dove chocolate, so that's sitting in my Amazon cart right now. I can get you whatever candy you desire because this post is about me, yet the giveaway is about you. 

Because we're in the midst of a pandemic I have some all natural soap + CBD hand sanitizer you can carry with you.

I have these cute RBG stickers + little elephant notebooks also in my Amazon cart. I'll buy them, once you tell me your favorite candy. 

It's giveaway time! You know the drill...you have to be over the age of 18 to enter. To make this easier on me I'm going to make this a U.S. giveaway. 

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Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.

@Ripleys #BelieveItorNot #MindBlown #giveaway

It's always a fun surprise to open the door, and see a Ripley's Believe It or Not! book waiting, for us to open it. 

My boys were arguing about who was going to get the book, for Christmas. Ha! I said, "Neither one of you is getting it. I'm going to hold off, and give it to your cousin Edison. He doesn't have one yet. In the meantime look at it, and take it all in."

I'm glad to know at 12 and 15 years old they still love Ripley's Believe It or Not! Who am I kidding?! Even I like to look at their books, and go to their museums. They are wild, fun, historic, and captivating.

About Mind Blown!

• It has 256 pages
• It has 1,200 stories that are new and around the world
• It's packed full with colorful pictures, and great typography

This gives you a quick view of what's inside this fun read:

If my coffee table was clear, this would be the book I'd put on it. Sorry/not sorry, but it's filled with garden produce right now. 

I like to learn about crazy art, funky animals, and odd places to visit.

Who wouldn't want a folded fire breathing dragon, or a turtle that has a heart showing through his/her shell? 

I'd rather go to a Radish Festival, Carnival of Yetis, Urban Waterfall building, or a Cartoon Cafe more than most concerts or any rally.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! has all kinds of crazy events to share.

I think it would be spooky cool to go to Ouija Zilla. As a kid every adult told me to stay away from an Ouija Board. Playing with one seemed much more appealing because it was the forbidden game. 

I'm ok with bugs, but I don't know that I could have them crawling all over my face. A food beard would be ok though. 

True story...when I went to Kansas City Art Institute I had a whole class on making clothing out of paper. Some of the sculptures in this book remind me of that. 

I love sculptures where it all comes together at a certain view point!

I never knew how I felt about animals being messed with, but these pets look pretty happy.

It's giveaway time! One US reader will win Ripley's Believe It or Not! Mind Blown! If you want to buy a copy you can get it here, for $17.49.

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Disclaimer: All opinions in this post are my own. Ripley's Believe It or Not! sent me a free book to help with this review.

@frednfriends Swing Time #birdfeeder #giveaway #holidaygiftguide

How do you introduce yourself? Lately I feel like saying, "Hello I'm Alissa, and I'm addicted to little gadgets."

When we were on vacation this summer I took photos of anything I thought was cool. As I was looking back at our photos I was reminded of the Swing Time Ceramic Bird Feeder that Fred makes.
 
Isn't it cute?

I didn't realize, until I was looking at the vacation photos that Fred is also the company that makes the Food Face Dinner Plates I've had fun with all these years. I think the boys got them when they were about 2 and 4. Now they are 11 and 14! One Christmas I got our kids, my 4 nephews, and 1 niece all Food Face Dinner Plates. It was a Fred Christmas, for sure. 

I recently got 1 more Food Face Dinner Plate because my nephew Edison doesn't have one. He was born after the Fred Christmas. I'm holding off giving it to him until his birthday in May. He drops everything! Maybe by May he can be a little more trustworthy of a ceramic plate. 

My boys still enjoy their plates. Mica said the other , "I'm hungry!" I usually answer back saying, "Well get yourself something to eat." He is 14. This time I said, "I'll get you something, just so I can decorate the plate." Fred had carrot hair, oatmeal pie earrings, and a peanut beard. Older kids can have fun with their food too!

I was super excited to open Swing Time Ceramic Bird Feeder. It felt like Christmas, for me. 

The tire treads look so perfect! It's so hard to believe it's ceramic, but it is.

I love that it came already together. 

All I had to do was go to the pet store to get some bird seed. I had to make the trip to get our Gecko crickets anyhow.

Our Dwarf Magnolia is now paired up with a Swing Time Ceramic Bird Feeder. The tree will look prettier in the spring when it blooms.

I have fond memories of being pushed on a tire swing, when I was a kid. What kid didn't like swings like that? It was back in a time where it was ok to be outside alone. Being outside = freedom in my mind. 

Make your Christmas a Fred Christmas! One of my readers (you) will win a Swing Time Ceramic Bird Feeder. 

Contest will end on December 2, 19. You need to be 18 or older to enter to win. No P.O. Boxes please. Open in the US. $12 retail value.

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Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. Fred did send me the Swing Time Ceramic Bird Feeder to review, for free. They did not tell me what to write. 

@Ripleys Believe It Or Not! Beyond The Bizarre #Giveaway #christmas

As soon as Mica was in about 4th grade he's was into fact books. Now he's in Quiz Bowl at school, so it makes sense why he enjoys books with lots of information. Isaak on the other hand loves art, and the bizarre. 

Ripley's Believe It or Not! have perfect books, for my boys. 

Welcome to Ripley's Believe It or Not! Beyond the Bizarre!

About the book:

• It has foil on the cover 
• It's hard bound
• Book Size: 9 x 11
• 256 pages
• Recommend reading age is 10+
• Cost: $28.95, and on sale for $20.99   

Contents:

• Intro - This isn't in the contents, but there is an intro about Robert Ripley, the Hollywood Christmas Parade in 2018, and them being on TV.

• Believe it - Bog Bodies, Log Cabin Worms, Close Shave, Cove of Wonders, Lucifer's Fingers, Reading Machine, Shedding Skin, Orange Snow, Cicada Cyborg, Volcano on the Green, Screwed on Right, Dirty Cakes, The Chained, and more! 

• World - Enter the Dragon, Arctic Soccer, Burning Cathedral, Net Works, Technicolor Temple, Clown Church, Natural Divers, The Roaring 20s, Slippery Slope, Tooth-Filing Ceremony, Stone Currency, Bear Parade, Hand Bridge, Hooked, Fire Fetus, Beating Ghosts, and more!

• Animals - Frog Butt, Warty Giraffe, Eel Seal, Smile Crocodile, Bleeding Hearts, Flying Frog, Spider Beach, Glow Home, Balloon Dog, The Last Straw,  A Mother's Embrace, Badgered Antelope, Otter Fishing, Monkeying Around, Huge Hornet, Tied Up Tummy, Lion Around, and more!

• Pop Culture - Total Tree-Call, If Looks Could Kill, Digital Ink, Loose Lips, Princess Etch, Penny Painter, Rubik's Cubism, Between the Lines, Uncommon Threads, All Dolled up, Horse Vs. Horsepower, As Sweet as Pie, Crochet Costumes, Watery Cosplay, Barbie Couture, A Butter Idea, Mini Minty Masterpieces, Spider-Man Skydiver, and more!

• People - Double Header, Mr. Sand Man, Sideshow Opera, Woeful Whiskers, Hairy Pillows, Foiled Again, Living on the Edge, Armed and Armless, Tons of Tumors, Breaking Tattoo Taboo, Flying Wallendas, Bid Words, Downhill From Here, Lord of the Rings, Baby Blues, and more! 

• Beyond Belief - Dearly Departed, Masquerade, Avatar Acrobats, Bucket Heads, Stand Out, Piano Bed, Sky Art, Garden Labyrinth, No Yolk, Glass Glow, Tractor Wheelies, Motorball, Freeze Beard, The Smile Experiment, Dancing House, Can-Do, Yikes Spikes, and more!

• Index

I'm not sure what chapter is my favorite. I like them all! These are a few pages that stood out to me. 

I found it crazy that tooth-filing is the thing!

Ripleys Believe It Or Not! sent this cool magazine that will go in one of my boy's stockings.

Win Ripley's Believe It or Not! Beyond The Bizarre! 

 

This is a giveaway for people within the US. No P.O. Boxes please. You must be over the age of 18 to enter. You will have 48 hours to get back to me if you have in fact won. If you don't get back to me, I sadly have to pick another winner.

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Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free in exchange for a review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Princess Emmy DVD #Giveaway

Princess Emmy is perfect, for any little girl's stocking. It's a movie that goes back to classic animation.

Princess Emmy of the Kingdom of Kandis has a secret talent, she can speak to horses. I wish I had that talent. The young princess uses her gift to help maintain peace in the land when her scheming cousin attempts to cause trouble.

Win a Copy of Princess Emmy! 

This is a giveaway for people within the US. No P.O. Boxes please. You must be over the age of 18 to enter. You will have 48 hours to get back to me if you have in fact won. If you don't get back to me, I sadly have to pick another winner. 

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Disclaimer: I did not get this to review. I was not asked to promote this in any way.

Nancy Drew And The Hidden Staircase Now Available on Digital, Blu-ray | DVD #giveaway

**“Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post. The opinions I share are my own.”**

Nancy Drew And The Hidden Staircase is heading home on Digital March 26, 2019 and on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack & DVD on April 2, 2019. Pick up your copy today!

Based on the Bestselling Book!

The iconic mystery solving teenager from the classic Nancy Drew books is back with an all-new feature length film that will keep you guessing until the very end! Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will release Nancy Drew And The Hidden Staircase on Digital starting March 26, 2019 and Blu-ray™ Combo Pack & DVD on April 2, 2019. Executive Produced by Ellen DeGeneres, the film stars Sophia Lillis (IT and “Sharp Objects”), Sam Trammell (“True Blood” and “This is Us”), and Linda Lavin (“The Good Wife” and“Alice”) and follows Nancy Drew in her new town, making new friends and on a mission to solve the case! The film carries a suggested retail price of $19.99 for the Digital, $19.98 for the DVD and $28.98 for the Blu-ray Combo Pack.

After the death of his wife, Carson Drew decides to leave Chicago behind and make a fresh start with his daughter in River Heights. But for 16-year-old Nancy Drew, life in a small town is mighty dull. She longs for excitement, adventure, and the chance to make a difference. Nancy gets that opportunity when she is asked to help solve the ghostly activity at the Twin Elms mansion. Can she help explain the creaking footsteps, exploding lightbulbs and the ominous creature? Is it the handiwork of high-school bully Derek Barnes? Or is it possible that the ghost of original owner Malcolm Colfax is back for revenge? Recruiting her best friends George and Bess, along with local “mean girl” Helen, Nancy Drew is on the case!

Check Out the Movie Trailer: 

Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase Escape Room & Mystery Match Blog App: 

• Welcome to the Interactive Nancy Drew Escape Room - to escape, you must solve riddles and find items to uncover the three numbers needed to open to door. Good Luck!

• In the Mystery Match Video Puzzle, use your mouse to click + drag puzzle pieces to unlock clips from the film.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner:

There will be one winner from An Apel a Day to win Nancy Drew And The Hidden Staircase on Blu-ray. The giveaway is open to residents of the US, age 18 and up, no P.O. Boxes please, will run through 4/12/19. Winner will have 24 hours to respond to winning email before a new winner is selected. Please enter on the giveaway widget below. *Please note that there is one win across all blog giveaways per person. If you win this Blu-ray from another blog, you will be ineligible to win again here.

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#NancyDrew and #TheHiddenStaircase Swag Pack #Giveaway

Disclosure: **“Warner Bros. provided me with a swag pack to facilitate this post. The opinions I share are my own.”**

I love movies and shows that are from old books. While I didn't really get into Nancy Drew, I know a lot of people did! Possibly I just wasn't introduced to Nancy Drew. I do love mysteries!

Who doesn’t love an epic mystery?

Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase is an all-new film coming to theaters on March 15 from Warner Bros., Ellen DeGeneres’ A Very Good Production and Red 56. I think Ellen DeGeneres is so funny! She's probably a great fit for this film!

The iconic mystery solving teenager from the classic Nancy Drew books is back with an all-new feature length film that will keep you guessing until the very end!

About Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase Theatrical:

After the death of his wife, Carson Drew decides to leave Chicago behind and make a fresh start with his daughter 16-year-old daughter Nancy in River Heights. Nancy is asked by Flora to help solve the ghostly activity at her home, the Twin Elms mansion. Can she help explain the creaking footsteps, exploding lightbulbs and the ominous creature? Is it the handiwork of high-school bully Derek Barnes? Or is it possible that the ghost of original owner Malcolm Colfax is back for revenge? Recruiting her best friends George and Bess, along with local “mean girl” Helen, Nancy Drew is on the case!

Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase stars:

Sophia Lillis (IT and “Sharp Objects”) as Nancy Drew
Sam Trammell (“True Blood” and “This is Us”) as Carson Drew (Nancy’s father)
Linda Lavin (“The Good Wife” and Alice) as Flora
Andrea Anders (“Joey” and “Better Off Ted”) as Hannah (Nancy’s Aunt)
Laura Slade Wiggins (“Shameless”) as Helen
Zoe Renee (“The Quad”) as George
Mackenzie Graham (The Purge) as Bess

Check out the Nancy Drew Escape Room app:

Swag Prize Pack includes:

- Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase - film t-shirt

- Nancy Drew Escape Room Sticker Sheet (4"x6")

- Nancy Drew - Earbuds & pouch

Time for the giveaway!

Each household is only eligible to win Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase – Theatrical Pack via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. The winner is subject to eligibility verification. Must be 18+ to enter. No P.O. Boxes please. Open to the US only. Good Luck!

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Disclosure Reminders: **“Warner Bros. provided me with a swag pack to facilitate this post. The opinions I share are my own.”**

@MapleHolistics SILK18 #shampoo #giveaway

Happy Valentine's Day. Let's make this day special by giving something away. 

Maple Holistics sent me SILK18 Shampoo to try.

Benefits:

This shampoo helps make your hair stronger, smoother, silkier, and healthier.

Since it keeps snowing I need shampoo that helps with dryness, preventing dandruff and split ends. There are a lot of healthy oils in it, so YAY!

It works great on both natural hair and colored hair.

It's sulfate and paraben-free! I look for that because I have a problem with sulfates.

The shampoo its self is made in the US!

Maple Holistics is for recycling. I wish that would rub off on my work. ;) I'm pro reusing and recycling. It's important to me that we take care of our home AKA Earth.

Ingredients:

On Maple Holistics' website they only list key ingredients. On the bottle they have everything. I looked up all of them. Most of them are oils, some are acids that restore the moisture in your hair. There are some foaming agents, and fillers. I couldn't find one that is harmful. If you do have any sensitivities to coconut oil, then this may not be the shampoo for you. I actually do well with coconut oil. 

• Water
• Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate - It's a surfactant-cleansing agent in cosmetic formulations. It is recorded as being safe.
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine - Because cocamidopropyl betaine originates from coconut oil, even some personal care products labeled as natural still contain it. Although the government regards the ingredient as safe, some people do have negative reactions after exposure to it.
• Sodium Lauroamphoacetate - It is a yellow substance derived from coconut.
• Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate - It is the salt of the coconut fatty acid. It is a soft white paste and is derived from coconut. It's used as a cleaning and foaming agent.
• Sodium Lauryl Glucoside Carboxylate - It is a foaming agent that is derived from glucoside from coconut and corn.
• Lauryl Glucoside Copolymer - It is a yellow substance derived from palm kernel oil, corn sugar, or coconut. The ingredient is a substance formed by mixing alcohols and sugar or glucose.
• Coco-Glucoside - It is a foaming agent derived from renewable raw materials such as coconut oil and corn and fruit sugars, and is completely biodegradable.
• Glyceryl Oleate - It is produced from oils that contain high concentrations of oleic acid, such as olive oil, peanut oil, teaseed oil or pecan oil.
• Caprylhydroxamic Acid - Is an amino acid derived from coconut oil.
• Glyceryl Caprylate Glycerin - It is an vegetable oil and water mix that restores the oils of the skin, regulates the skin moisture and acts as a humidifier to the skin.
• Sodium Hyaluronate - It is the salt form of Hyaluronic Acid, a water-binding ingredient that has the ability to fill the spaces between the connective fibers known as collagen and elastin.
• Silk Amino Acids - A key ingredient in many hair products for boosting hair growth. These jelly-like proteins lock the moisture in the hair.
• Argan (Argania Spinosa) Oil - It is most commonly used as a skin moisturiser to hydrate and soften skin. It has high vitamin E and fatty acid content.
• Sodium PCA - A sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid.
• D-Panthenol - It is a derivative of vitamin B5. It helps maintain moisture.
• Botanical Keratin - The outermost layer of our skin consists of a protein called keratin, this means that keratin is produced and exists naturally in our bodies.
• Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) Oil - It is likely very helpful in treating dry scalp and dandruff issues. It's also rich in vitamins and minerals.
• Natural Vanilla Fragrance - Not needed, but makes your hair smell nice.

Directions:

I always think directions for things like shampooing your hair are kind of silly. Who doesn't know how to wash their hair effectively? Ha! Here are the directions anyhow...

1. Rinse Hair
2. Massage Quarter- Sized Amount Throughout Scalp
3. Allow it to Set for 2 to 3 Minutes
4. Repeat - Many shampoos with more natural ingredients have you repeat.
5. Rinse Well

A Giveaway that starts on Valentines Day! YAY! 

For people living in the US only please. For ages 18 and up. No P.O. Boxes. Ends on February 28.

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Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free in exchange for a review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.